Top tips for choosing your bed and bedroom fabrics

When looking for a beautiful duvet for your bed, you should go beyond just how fancy it looks, and consider whether they're right for you. To help you out, here's a helpful guide to choosing the perfect bed and the fabrics to go with them.

For maximum comfort and sound health, it's a good idea to stick to natural materials when it comes to your bed. A solid wood, wrought iron or stainless steel bed frame is a good choice. Also:

• Opt for eco-friendly materials when buying a mattress. In terms of energy consumption, all-natural latex (free of synthetic latex) rates much better than synthetic latex made from petroleum, even when you factor in harvesting and transport.
• Check the stuffing of any futon you're considering to see if it was enriched with breathable, warming, natural fibres such as horsehair, virgin wool, coconut fibres or natural latex.
• Choose down, feathers, cotton and linen for blankets and bedding. The exception: if you're an allergy sufferer, opt for blankets that can be washed in water up to 60°C (140°F ) — or even in boiling water — and pillows that are made of synthetic fibres.

When choosing the fabrics and linens for your home, going green means looking a little more closely when you're buying — but it's not all that hard to do. Here are some ideas:

• Look for blankets made of wool or organic cotton.
• Make an inexpensive duvet cover from sewing together two linen tablecloths.
• Look at organic cotton, bamboo and linen for bedding and sheets; the absorbency of the natural fibres contributes to a dry, warm sleep environment.
• Consider felt-backed bedroom curtains for smokers and allergy suffers. Not only does this have an insulating effect, but such curtains tend to absorb vapours and scents in the air.